Chapter 17 Marfil #2
My home in Louisiana was ostentatious, but it was my only home, and I liked it, especially when my father wasn’t there.
I smiled as it came into view, excited that I would soon get to ride Philippe, my beautiful horse, whom I adored and missed in equal measures.
After the kidnapping, I’d been home for such a short time that I hadn’t been able to visit him.
I was also excited by the prospect of, after two months of having constant company, finally being able to do something on my own.
Peter parked the car outside the front entrance, and Rob, my father’s Saint Bernard, came bounding out to greet us.
He was almost as big as a pony. When I was a little girl, he had been terrified of me, but we’d come to a truce when I turned fourteen and stopped trying to ride him.
It was also around that time when my father gave me Philippe so that I would leave his poor dog alone.
I petted his ears lovingly, and then went inside to say hello to Lupita, who was waiting in the entryway to welcome me, as always.
“Hi, Lupe!” I said, giving her a hug.
“Oh, my girl, tell me you’re doing okay; tell me no one has hurt you again…” she said, pinching my cheeks to make sure I was alive and well.
Just then, Sebastian entered, carrying my suitcase and his small duffel bag. We both looked at him, and he held out a hand to introduce himself.
“This guy here is the one who makes sure nothing happens to me, Lupita,” I explained, smiling in Sebastian’s direction.
“Oh, young man, take good care of her, please. Trouble seems to follow Marfil wherever she goes.”
I frowned, but Sebastian laughed and nodded. “I think I know what you mean.”
I looked at the two of them, eyes narrowed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m a perfect angel,” I said, batting my eyes.
“Angel is the last word I’d use to define you, Marfil,” came my father’s voice behind me.
I tensed, my natural reaction to him.
Taking a deep breath, I turned to greet him. He gave me a hug, and I inhaled the familiar scent of his cologne.
“How are you?” he asked, stepping back to get a good look at me.
“Good, good,” I responded.
My father stepped toward Sebastian. “It’s good to see you, Sebastian. How’s it going?” He slapped my bodyguard on the back. “I hope my daughter hasn’t given you too much trouble.”
Sebastian smiled.
I was surprised to see that they already knew each other. Then I remembered the day Sebastian had ratted me out to my father, getting my ballet classes canceled, and my mood shifted.
“Everything’s in order, Mr. Cortés, although there are certain matters I’d like to discuss with you.”
My father nodded, smiling. “Of course, of course! We’ll have a meeting with Logan tomorrow, don’t worry. But call me Alejandro, I’ve told you a thousand times.”
A thousand times…
Ugh, I didn’t like this chumminess at all.
“You two already know each other?”
Sebastian and my father exchanged a glance, and I knew I was being intentionally left out. I expected it from my father, but not from Sebastian.
“You don’t think I’d send just anyone to protect you, do you?” my father responded jovially.
I didn’t answer, but I did change the subject. “When is Gabi getting here?”
My father frowned at the mention of my little sister.
“In three days.”
I nodded and went to pick up my suitcase, but Sebastian got to it before me.
“I’ll help you with that,” he said politely.
I let him walk me upstairs to my room, eager for the chance to be alone with him. It felt strange having so many people around, accustomed as we were to always being alone together.
“I didn’t realize you knew my father…” I said as we reached my bedroom door. I opened it and stepped inside, waiting for him to follow.
He didn’t.
“He hired me. Of course I know him.”
“Logan Price is in charge of security, not my father, but you two seem very friendly…”
Sebastian looked at me from the doorway, unfazed. “He likes me, is all.”
Yes, clearly… But Alejandro Cortés didn’t like most people.
“You must’ve really impressed him, based on the way he treats you.”
“The fact that I’m taking care of his daughter doesn’t seem like enough of a reason to you?”
I forced a smile. “He isn’t usually pleased by anything that has to do with me.”
Sebastian squared his shoulders. “Do you need anything else? I’d like to rest.”
I remembered the feeling of his fingers in my hair, and I had the urge to shake him. How could he be so sweet and so cold at the same time?
“What rules apply now? Do I have to let you know every time I want to go somewhere?”
Sebastian looked at me as if he didn’t understand. “The same rules apply, Marfil. That’s why I’m here.”
Right.
I didn’t pry any further because he was acting strange, and something told me it was better not to know anything about his former dealings with my father. I would’ve loved to call him out on it, but I decided to let it go, at least for tonight.
He left without another word, and I watched as he disappeared down the hallway.
The next morning, I went down to breakfast early.
I’d slept fitfully, and had dark circles under my tired eyes, but I would make the most of my day regardless of not having slept.
I wanted to walk around my father’s property, go horseback riding, and swim in the heated pool in the basement, one of my favorite places.
Lupita greeted me with a warm hug, and as she made me breakfast, she caught me up on the fact that my sister had called every day since my kidnapping to make sure she was up-to-date on any news. She hadn’t called me directly because she was afraid I’d lie to keep from scaring her.
“That girl worships you, Marfil,” Lupita beamed as she peeled potatoes.
We chatted for a while, then I said goodbye with another hug and the promise not to get into any trouble.
Just as I was walking through the living room, I saw Sebastian coming down the hallway that led to my father’s office.
It surprised me to see him dressed in a suit and tie.
The members of my father’s security team had always worn that kind of attire, but I was so used to seeing Sebastian in jeans and sneakers.
He wasn’t alone either, which also took me aback; he was accompanied by a guy a bit younger than him, a bit shorter, but dressed practically the same.
“Marfil, let me introduce you to Louis Wilson,” he said in a professional tone as Louis held out a hand. “He’ll be with you these next few days until your sister gets here.”
I frowned. “You’re a bodyguard, too?” I asked as this new Louis guy discretely gave me a once-over. He was handsome but nothing special: blond, green eyes, thin lips, and straight nose.
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered, suddenly nervous.
“You can call me Marfil,” I said in a friendly tone, then frowned at Sebastian. “Are you leaving?”
“I won’t be able to guard you all day, that’s all.”
“You make it sound like I’m a prisoner,” I answered sarcastically.
Louis threw us a curious glance.
“I thought you could use a break from me,” Sebastian said plainly.
Or maybe he needed a break from me.
“Oh, okay, I guess you have something more important to do than keeping me alive.”
Sebastian refused to take the bait. He pulled me aside and whispered, “Behave. Wilson has potential; he’s new at this. Please, don’t make him want to quit before he’s even started.”
“You’re so sweet that it makes me want to punch you in the face.”
He almost smiled.
“All yours, Wilson,” he said, turning back around. “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
Sebastian didn’t walk out the front door, heading toward the service quarters instead.
Why the hell did he give his job to Wilson?
I looked at my new bodyguard with an inquisitive smile. “Does everyone call you Wilson?” I asked as I headed outside, and he followed.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said.
I shot him a dirty look.
“Marfil, sorry.”
“Have you ever ridden a horse, Wil?” I asked. “Do you mind if I call you Wil?”
He shook his head. “You can call me whatever you want. And yes, I know how to ride.”
I smiled. Wilson was much nicer than Sebastian.
“Great, because I want to be outside this house as much as possible.”
We passed the huge swimming pool, surrounded by lounge chairs and the grill, and headed to the stables.
My father raised horses in Montana, but he kept his ten finest Appaloosas at our home in Louisiana, including Philippe.
I’d named him after the horse in Beauty and the Beast, one of my favorite movies as a little girl.
When we entered the stable, we saw Colin, a man of around sixty who looked after the horses. He knew so much about animals that, even if he wasn’t officially a vet, it was as if he was.
“Are you going to ride today, Miss Cortés?” Colin asked.
I nodded, smiling. It was impossible to convince Colin to address me less formally; I’d stopped trying years ago.
Without waiting for him to prepare my horse, I made my way to his stall.
Philippe was beautiful, white with black feet and a glossy mane.
When I went in, he whinnied happily, and I gently rubbed his favorite spot, right between his pretty eyes.
“Hello, gorgeous,” I said. I loved this animal.
Colin saddled my sister’s horse for Wilson, a very calm black mare named Glitter.
Once everything was ready, we got on our horses and headed out into the fields.
I looked back at the house, about to take off at a full gallop, when I noticed Sebastian watching us from the second-floor balcony.
The warning look he shot me only made me want to take off faster.
Didn’t you say you didn’t have time to protect me? Well, then, fuck off, Sebastian.